Study of TWMs - BB&Co.

[Tan Berk]

Hello Gents,

I hope you don't mind me starting a series of ''Study of TWMs'' threads (mostly inspired from Don's Study of EKs!).

First in the series, a study of the most common yet one of the nicest makers of this medal, the famous but yet unknown B.B.&Co.

There is a current discussion about whether B.B.&Co. produced just the pin and catch or the whole medal on Demir Erman's Facebook group of the Turkish War Medal, but seems like the mystery of this maker is yet to be revealed.

About B.B.&Co.

. Medals manufactured by B.B.&Co. slightly differ in size. Some sizes can be found:

56.5x54.5mm, 57.3x54.7mm, 56.6x55mm, 58x56mm

. As of 2014, we are not sure whether this maker was in Istanbul, Germany or Austria.

. BB&Co. manufactured brass, silver, silver plated War Medals.

. The catch and pin mechanism is always the same on every B.B.&Co. medal.

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This thread contains only the basic information on this particular maker, hopefully we can discover new pieces, information and new evidence about this maker and develop this thread.

Please feel free to add your Turkish War Medals from this maker here and share your opinions and knowledge for the newcomers.

Thank you for your interest and participation.

Tan Berk Kurtcebe

For more Turkish War Medals please check:
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=642475

[Tan Berk]

3 BB&Co. Compared

I compared the three version of B.B.&Co. made Turkish War Medals I have in my collection. The major differences are all in the back.

1. This regular pin-back B.B.&Co. later converted to a screwback model with Meybauer parts belonged to a veteran from Darmstadt. You can see the Meybauer patent D.R.G.M 653146 on the small disc.

2. This textbook TWM belonged to Oberleutnant Cemil Rıfat Efendi, was won at the Gallipoli Front in 1915. This bronze medal has the standard catch and pin set-up (There is a document also included).

3. This replaced catch and pin TWM belonged to telegraphist Martin Günther from Fernsprechabteilung 1701 and was won on the Palestine Front ( The document of this medal dated 30.10.1918, the last day of the war).

[Tan Berk]

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[Tan Berk]

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[Tan Berk]

BB&Co. with replaced pin

[Tan Berk]

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[Tan Berk]

Screwback

[Tan Berk]

Three compared

[Tan Berk]

A good reference photo for the Tugra, the date and the Gazi plates.

[Tan Berk]

Three of them compared. Notice the two little dots on the left of the Gazi plate are intact only in one of them. I think the two had unfortunate mis-strikes when stamped.

Other than the two dots, the components are almost exactly the same.

[Greg B]

Hi Tan,

Thankyou very much for showing great close up pics of these BB&Co TWM's

The timing of this new post is supperb as I just receaved a BB&Co type in the mail yesterday and the first thing I did was go and check to see if my one had the dots or not.

Mine appears like your two to be a mis-strike as well. Looking closely at the fine details of your great pics one can really learn a lot from them... I'll go and do some measurements now of it.


Regards
Greg

[Tan Berk]

Dear Greg

Thank you for adding your handsome new B.B.&Co. here. For me, it is a rare one because on the back, the circular line gives away the hollow construction of the center part.

I forgot to mention this feature in my previous posts. The B.B.&Co. has 3 mm thickness at the arms and a hollow center, by your piece we can see where the back piece was mounted.

Missing the two dots from the ''oval'' gazi plate but your piece has a great patina overall and intact enamels.

[Greg B]

Another BB&Co addition and with the two dots this time. Unfortunately missing the pin. Here are my two side by and with another TWM addition a curly wire example with its original ribbon. Quite a contrast in quality to the BB&Co as you can see but still has a real rustic charm of its own.

Greg

[Greg B]

pic1

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[Tan Berk]

Dear Greg

Your TWM collection is growing up fast, happy to see it. I am glad that you grabbed that Turkish made one with the ribbon.

t